by Karsten Bønsdorf, , USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Italian-bred, but Dutch-owned, trained and driven 4-year-old Robert Bi won the Grand Prix de L’UET over 1-5/16 mile at the Mauquenchy track in France Saturday afternoon.

Gerard Forni photo

Robert Bi, driven by Robin Bakker, on his way to victory in the Grand Prix de l’UET.

The Grand Prix, which is organized by the European trotting federation, UET is also called the European Trotting Derby and has been raced every year since 1985.

The purse for the winner was $275,000.

Tumble Dust, sired by Crazed and driven by Torbjörn Jansson, took command from start but after the first quarter Robert Bi, driven by Robin Bakker, took over.

Robert Bi was in command the rest of the race although he tired at the end. Robert Bi just held off a late charge from Amiral Sacha of France to win by a neck in 1.57.2 followed by another French trotter, Africain.

D’One of Sweden finished strong on the outside and came in fourth, while Danish Derby winner Tumble Dust never found racing room behind Robert Bi and had to settle for fifth.

Robert Bi is sired by Toss Out-Supergill, a very popular stallion in Italy.

His dam, Up Front JM is by Self Possessed and out of Dalona Frisco, she by Speedy Crown.